February 1900

Thursday 1st   It was a fine day.  Willie and I were picking Orleans Plums all day.

Friday 2nd   It was a fine day.  We picked 1 Case Peaches and then we yoked up the bullocks and hauled the fruit down to the wharf. The S.S. “Rob Roy” was expected to call in on her way from Waipu to Auckland at 11 am,  but it was 1 pm before she arrived and she got stuck at the wharf and was not able to get away until 4 pm.  Minnie went up with her so that she & Joe will go up to Warkworth tomorrow.
I went up to the School in the evening, there was a meeting of the School Committee and also the annual meeting of subscribers to the Library.  There was a slight shower of rain when I was coming home.

Saturday 3rd   There was a pretty sharp shower of rain about 7 am this morning, but it cleared up and it was a hot day.
I went down to the Hall in the morning to pull nails out of the old timber.  Willie went fishing to Ti Point and brought home 6 fish.
I walked over to Dacres Claim in the afternoon, I called at Messrs Boyds and had a look round their orchard, afterwards I went to Mr Hardwicks and had tea there and afterwards he and I went to the Domain Hall to a meeting to elect a Working Committee for the Domain.  Charlie Wyatt and I came home together.

Sunday 4th   It was a fine day.  I remained at home all day and rested myself.

Monday 5th   It rained in the morning.   When we were milking it cleared up, it rained again at dinner time, and it rained steadily all the evening.   I was down at the Hall all day doing odd jobs.

Tuesday 6th   It was a fine day although there was rain in the morning and also in the pm.  I took the bullocks down to the wharf in the afternoon and hauled up a Bag of Flour and Parcel of Drapery, also got a 56 lb Bag of Sugar from Harpers.   There was a meeting of the Hall Committee at Harpers.

Wednesday 7th   It was a fine day.  We were picking a Case of Bon Cretien Pears, also doing odd jobs.

Thursday 8th   It was a fine day.  I was working down at the Hall all day.  Dan Kempt and I carried in all the lining boards and then we commenced putting up the lining.
The Miss Niccols called in the evening.

Friday 9th   It was a fine day.  We got the Sheep in from the front in the morning.  Afterwards I went down to the Post Office and afterwards was working at the Hall continuing putting up the lining.
Jane went with the Miss Niccols to a concert at Matakana.
We Killed a Sheep in the evening and I went up to the Library to change my book and to attend a meeting of the School Committee.

Saturday 10th   It was a fine day.  Did odd jobs in the morning. There was a meeting of the Road Board at Harpers in the pm.  Dan Kempt came up here for tea and then went with Jane to the Orchestra practice in the Hall.

Sunday 11th   It was a very fine day.  Revd G. Frost held service in the Hall in the afternoon.  There was a fair congregation.  Jane went up to Mrs Handbys in the afternoon & staid for tea.

Monday 12th   It was a fine day.   Willie and I were picking fruit all day.

Tuesday 13th   It rained early this morning, but cleared up afterwards.  Willie and I finished picking fruit.  We hauled the fruit down to the wharf in the afternoon expecting that the “Rose Casey” would be in, but I heard that she had a hole knocked in her bottom at Warkworth, but the “Orewa” would be sent in her place. I waited down until she came in at 9 pm and hauled some flooring boards up to the Hall.

Wednesday 14th   There were some heavy showers of rain during the night, also this morning.  Jane rode to Warkworth this morning to see Minnie. I was working at the Hall all day.
George Wyatt drew his net in this harbour and caught a lot of small fish, Willie went down to the cove and brought some home.

Thursday 15th   It was a fine day.  I was working at the Hall all day. Willie went to Ti Point fishing and brought home a few.  Jane returned from Warkworth in the evening.

Friday 16th   It was a fine day.  I was working at the Hall all day.

Saturday 17th   It was a fine day.   I was working at the Hall all day.

Sunday 18th   It was a fine day.   I went over to Walter Frearsons in the morning, and in the pm I rode over to Mr Ashtons Snr at Big Omaha and had a look round his orchard and staid for tea.

Monday 19th   It was a fine day.   I was working at the Hall all day.

Tuesday 20th   It was a fine day.  I hauled down to the wharf in the morning, 5 Cases Damsons.  Afterwards was working at the Hall preparing for the opening this evening.  Jane & Miss Annie Niccol were helping cut up sandwiches.  The entertainment commenced at 8 pm.  I was Chairman.  It was not so well patronized on account of the nearness of the Matakana Show.   £10 was taken at the door.

Wednesday 21st   It was fine in the morning, but it rained the latter part of the afternoon.